Ancient Evil threatens the Elves, for the Ellcrys - the tree created by long-lost Elven magic - is dying, loosing the Spell of Forbidding that bars the hordes of vengeful Demons from the Races of Man.

Allanon, legendary guardian of Earth, summons Wil Ohmsford to guard the Elven girl Amberle on a perilous quest as she carries a seed from the Ellcrys to the mysterious Bloodfire, there to be quickened to a new Ellcrys.

Ravening behind them comes the Reaper, most fearsome of all Demons. Against it, Wil has only the Elfstones of Shannara - and has lost all power to control them. Helplessly, he watches the shadow of the Reaper appear on the trail behind them.